Consumer Services

The Consumer Services program prepares students for a wide variety of employment opportunities that link the consumer, business, and government and improve communication among all three groups. This includes acting in a responsible manner to consumer problems and trends and providing information so that the consumer can use the products and services of a company correctly and with maximum benefits.

This Program offers coursework for professional improvement and retraining as well as core courses to be utilized as transfer courses for students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in programs involving Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics, Business/Credit Counseling, or Consumer Affairs.

Award Types

Associate in Science Degree

Completion of the certificate program and a minimum of 60 units including the general education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 qualifies the student for the Associate in Science degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.

Certificate of Achievement

The awarding of a Certificate of Achievement acknowledges to the recipient and the potential employer that all courses in an approved occupational program have been completed. The courses are chosen by the faculty on the basis of determination of educational experiences which lead to vocational competency.

Students with previous educational or vocational experience who wish to waive a course on the certificate list may be expected to verify equivalency through examination. Petitions for course waivers or substitutions are available in both the Office of Admissions and Records and the Counseling Office. When waivers and substitutions have been approved, a minimum of 18 units must be included in the certificate program.

The Certificate of Achievement is issued upon the completion of the following:

The required courses in the certificate area.

A minimum of twelve (12) units in residence at Saddleback College. At least one course required in the certificate must be completed at Saddleback College.

Course Guide

Curriculum

Curriculum changes as industry standards transform. Please refer to the Saddleback College Catalog website as the following requirements may have changed since this webpage was published.

Course ID

Title

Units

BUS125

Human Relations in Business

3

BUS160

Intro to Small Business Management

3

CIM112

Microsoft Office

3

FCS 115

Consumer Issues

3

FCS142

Life Management

3

CWE 180*

Cooperative Work Experience: Consumer Services

2

Select ONE Specialty Area

6-7

Total

23-24

Specialty Area 1 - Foods & Nutrition:

Course ID

Title

Units

FN 50

Fundamentals of Nutrition

3

FN 110*

Food Preparation Essentials

3

Specialty Area 2 - Interior Design:

Course ID

Title

Units

ID 110

Fundamentals of Interior Design

3

ID 116

Interior Materials & Products

4

Specialty Area 3 - Fashion:

Course ID

Title

Units

FASH 31

Textiles

3

FASH 150

Fashion Apparel & Professional Techniques

3

*Course has a prerequisite, co-requisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.

You can email Lori Hoolihan or call (949) 582-4568 for more information.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Statement

Federal regulations require higher education institutions to disclose information regarding the success of its students in certificate programs that lead to employment.

The information includes graduation rates, estimated education costs, median debt of students who completed programs, and other information designed to help students make better-informed choices about colleges and universities they select.

Disclaimer: This site may contain links to web sites not administered by Saddleback College or one of its divisions, departments, units or programs. Saddleback College is not responsible or liable for the accuracy or the content of the linked pages.